A DANGEROUS pothole-ridden stretch of the A27 must be repaired without delay.

That is the urgent call from this newspaper, which has today teamed up with sister title the Chichester Observer to campaign for prompt action along the Havant to Chichester section.

Potholes on the A27 between Havant and Chichester Picture: Steve Robards (SR1515030)

The campaign follows numerous letters of concern, which in one case saw a father and his disabled wife and son narrowly avoid a serious collision after a tyre on their trailer burst when it hit a large pothole.

Councillor David Guest, the leader of regeneration at Havant Borough Council, said: ‘The surface is deteriorating and there are a number of potholes – I have bounced over them myself.

‘I’d like to see something done and I back the campaign. It’s been like this for months and needs sorting.

‘It’s a road safety issue – if people hit them and get a flat tyre, it could cause a nasty accident.’

It needs sorting

David Guest

Earlier this month, Ian Collyer, 56, of Bracklesham, was travelling with his family on the A27 between Emsworth and Chichester when the car hit a large pothole. It caused the tyre on his trailer to blow and the vehicles to swerve across the carriageway.

He said: ‘It put the fear of God in my wife and son, who are both disabled and were left completely shocked. I didn’t get an apology from the Highways Agency – there was just a complete lack of compassion, it’s totally unacceptable.’

Councillor John O’Brien, leader of highways at West Sussex County Council, has written to the Highways Agency, demanding the issue is prioritised.

A Highways England spokesman said: ‘We’ve allocated more than £4.5m over the next three years to fully repair this section of the A27.

‘In the meantime, we will continue to keep the A27 in a safe and serviceable condition, and any defects that pose a threat to safety will continue to be fixed within 24 hours.’

If you have been affected by the potholes call Jeff Travis on (023) 9249 2444 or email jeff.travis@thenews.co.uk.